American Red Cross Text-Book on Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick — John Shaqi
American Red Cross Text-Book on Home Hygiene and Care of the SickAmerican National Red Cross
Science
American Red Cross Text-Book on Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick
American National Red Cross
Home nursing; Hygiene; Nurses; Nursing
TABLES of diet for children over one year of age may be found in the
Appendix, page 322.
BATHING.--Usually the cord has separated and the navel has entirely
healed by the time a baby is 10 days old. After this time a daily tub
bath should be given; it should be given not less than one hour after
feeding. The temperature of the room should be from 70-72°, measured by
a thermometer placed in the part of the room where the bath is to take
place. In order to avoid chilling or tiring the baby the bath should be
given quickly, without confusion or interruption; success can be
achieved by using even a moderate amount of foresight. Before undressing
the baby everything to be used should be collected and placed within
easy reach,--clean clothing, soft towels, 2 wash cloths, pure white
soap, powder, absorbent cotton, etc. The bath tub should last of all be
filled with water, and its temperature tested by means of a bath
thermometer. The temperature of the water should be from 98° to 100°.
After the baby is three months old slightly cooler water should be
splashed over his chest, back, neck, and arms just after he is removed
from the tub, and as he grows older the temperature of his cool splash
can be reduced. Children who become accustomed to cool water in this way
take kindly to their cold showers later.
The baby's face should be washed first and dried carefully, while his
body is still covered. Next the head should be washed; a little soap
should be used, but it must on no account enter the eyes. Next the
entire body should be soaped with the hand; and then the baby should be
placed gently in the bath, his head and shoulders supported by the
attendant's left hand and forearm. Care should be taken to rinse off all
the soap. The baby should not stay in the tub more than 2 or 3 minutes;
after he has been removed from the tub he should be wrapped at once in a
soft bath towel. He should be dried gently but thoroughly by patting
with soft, warm towels rather than by rubbing. Folds of the skin should
be dried with special care. A little powder may be applied, but a baby
who is kept both clean and dry will not need much powder, if any. The
baby should next be quickly dressed, with as little turning and moving
as possible. Clothing should be drawn on over the feet instead of over
the head, and the petticoat should be placed inside the slip so that the
two garments may go on simultaneously.
EYES.--Secretion accumulating in the corners of a baby's eyes should be
removed by means of a bit of absorbent cotton moistened in boiled water.
The secretion should be wiped away gently; a different piece of cotton
should be used for each eye, and a piece that has been used should not
be put back into the water. Further than this, eyes in a normal
condition do not need cleansing.
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